Using technology to beat an ancient disease

Leprosy has been of existence since ancient times. It’s associated with the bible, the Qur’an and even medieval knights. However, one aspect that isn’t ancient is how technology is used to measure the impact of our projects to work towards our goal to beat leprosy.

Innovative new methods

Over the past couple of years, the use of technology to measure programme outcomes and patient information has become increasingly more important. The tool we use is KoBoCollect – a mobile app which stores samples of live data, tracks progress, facilitates disability management and monitors self-discrimination and we believe we are the first leprosy charity to use it.

The accuracy of this app enables for the concise analysis of our projects and it is also more reliable than storing hard copy information. It can be accessed anytime – anywhere and it can even be used offline. This is particularly useful as it helps us to take measurement in some of the most remote and rural locations.

What our team say

Mayarani is one of our field staff members in Bangladesh. He shares his thoughts about how this tool helps him to access in-depth information. “It is more efficient and it saves more time when collecting information. It is easy to share project information and the project’s impact with others and that data is easy to analyse and explore.”

We're already seeing results

KoBoCollect has been particularly useful with the analysis of our Reaching the Unreached Project in Bangladesh, where the tool has allowed us to effectively monitor how the household income of people living with the effects of leprosy has been improved. This is because the data collection element of the app facilitates a higher level of accuracy than hard copy data. As a result, we’ve been able to reach a much stronger beneficiary sample and gain greater levels of concise data.

For this project, we were able to measure poverty indicators which would be very difficult to measure without digital technology. As a result, the app has helped us to measure an increase of 13% in people’s household monthly income and an 8% reduction of people reporting limitations at work due to disability.

Not only is KoBoCollect an effective tool for data collection, but it also provides information into additional areas which are affected by leprosy through being able to collect geo-data which makes it possible to map a wide range of indicators. The access to concise data measurement methods provides us with insight which enables us to map for future projects and, in addition, shape the dynamics of our programmes too.

Digital measurement is the way forward

Being able to access patient data at our fingertips is bringing the treatment of leprosy into the present day. This method is making significant impact in the way that project effectiveness is analysed and if digital measurement methods are adopted universally, it will lead us one step closer to beating leprosy once and for all.

There are many ways your place of worship or religious community can support people affected by leprosy. Through your selfless giving, or fundraising, you can change the lives of some of the world's poorest people.

Most read

Leprosy is completely curable, if treated early. Yet, tragically many people diagnosed today will already have terrible disabilities due to late diagnosis. Over 3 million more people are living in the shadows, with undiagnosed leprosy, and every day the disease causes more damage to their bodies, lives and futures.
Find out more

The Lepra Edinburgh to St Andrews Cycle Ride has hit a flat….! But don’t worry, we have an extra tube or two, a hand pump and a CO2 canister and plan to be back on track in June 2020. Keep an eye out for our exciting new developments and entry arrangements here.